Is this your first attempt at a race of this distance? What is your goal?The furthest distance I've completed to date was this past summer at the Last Annual Vol State Road Race 500K (314 miles) so adding another 237'ish miles onto that distance is no small feat. I've always set pretty lofty goals though and taking on the 888K course is the pinnacle of that! I'm in it to finish.

What are you most excited about regarding the race?I'm wholeheartedly looking forward to the all the highs and lows of this journey. I realize it sounds funny to say that, but for me, the magic always lies just beyond total agony. I'm after that euphoric, dig-deep, soul-satisfying victory of personal accomplishment.

What does your training look like for the race?Preparing for the 888K has been similar training to what I've been doing for years now. I constantly stay in motion and run a race of some sort almost every weekend. It alternates between road miles (5K to marathon distances), and I try to run back to back weekend races when it works. I mix that with trail and mountain races (Georgia Death Race, Mt. Mitchell Challenge, Barkley Fall Classic etc.) and I have a 40% incline trainer at home that has been helpful to train with as well.

What does your nutrition plan look like for the race?At most races, I take in a majority of my calories/salt in liquid form and am more of a food nibbler. For this event, especially as the days go by, I'll eat and drink whatever sounds good to me which usually ends up becoming things I wouldn't dare eat in my normal daily life! I will guzzle coke, eat lots of baby food, cans of SpaghettiOs start tasting blissful to me, and getting "real food" in me will takeover vs. snack foods.

Are you bringing support (crew, pacers etc.)?I hope to have one crew member, a family member, but it's a lot to ask of them so I'm still ironing that out. I've never used pacers for any of my races thus far and don't have any lined up for the 888K. Given the length of days for this event we'll see how it goes, but I prefer to go solo although I acknowledge the benefit in having pacers.

Why Infinitus, why this distance?The only way to challenge my limits is to continually test them outside of my comfort zone. Infinitus is an incredible opportunity to test this and I'm thankful to the RDs for creating it! Having finished LAVS at 314 miles, I think it's just the next logical step in the pursuit of setting new goals to tackle "going further" at another extraordinary race event.

What is your favorite color?Green. The color of life!

Are you a cat or dog person?I have 4 awesome weimaraners so I'm definitely a dog person...but don't tell my two adorable, fluffy and totally lazy Siberian cats that!

Name:J.T. Bolestridge

Is this your first attempt at a race of this distance? What is your goal?I've finished the Vol State 500k twice but this will be my first attempt at anything longer than that. My goal is to finish.

What are you most excited about regarding the race?I love the isolation of a multi-day race. Not so much from other people but from the world as a whole. It's a simple world without social media and politics, run, eat, rest, repeat.

What does your training look like for the race?Lots of time on feet...and I had my toenails removed to give myself an edge...

What does your nutrition plan look like for the race?What's that?

Are you bringing support (crew, pacers etc.)?Nope, solo.

Why Infinitus, why this distance?I love the Endurance Society, and the people that they draw in. I'm in over my head as usual with the 888k but I still believe I can get it done.

What is your favorite color?Blue

Are you a cat or dog person?Dog...and it's not even close.

​Name:Katie Riston

Is this your first attempt at a race of this distance? What is your goal?Yes. To finish 10 marathons

What are you most excited about regarding the race?Seeing old friends made at past ES events and making new ones.

What does your training look like for the race?Don’t ask.

What does your nutrition plan look like for the race?Eat whatever I’m hungry for.

Why Infinitus, why this distance?Great people. Great RD’s Never attempted this distance before.

What is your favorite color?Purple

Name:Ronald Bastien

Is this your first attempt at a race of this distance? What is your goal?I've never raced more that 100 miles but when you set a BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal), you have to remember the "Big". Have fun, enjoy the competitive spirit of the race, learn a few things and make friends along the way. That's the goal.

What are you most excited about regarding the race?I'm looking to see how much I can push my limits, and to learn from the experience. Every race I've done has thought me a lesson. I expect no less from this one.

What does your training look like for the race?I have the privilege of being coached by Helene Dumais who's actually running the 888K this year. She's an amazing athlete and has been a great coach for me the last few years. We worked together to create a custom training program especially for this race. It's a combination of weight training, volume and intensity training.

What does your nutrition plan look like for the race?Nutrition will be key to keep the energy levels up during the 250 miles. My first priority is to include foods that I like. I want to enjoy the race and nutrition is part of that. It's not just about calories, it's about thinking of having the right fuel for both my digestive capacity and my taste buds.

Are you bringing support (crew, pacers etc.)?If I've learned anything in long distance running, having a great crew is a key success factor. I'm privileged to have my wife (who's been crazily supportive of my adventures) and very good friends who will be present for the duration of the race. I am spending a lot of preparation time on having a very comfortable and well stocked base camp for my crew and ensuring everyone is well versed on our game plan. Everyone contributes to the strategy. Everyone executes on race days. The crew and I really make up a team and a great team makes for a great race.

Why Infinitus, why this distance?Who wouldn't want to have a unique, life-changing, and mind-blowing experience? For me, it's really about the BHAG. Set your goals high and then crush them. Do it with family and friends in a great setting, like Vermont and just enjoy the moment, then live a better life from the lessons learned.

What is your favorite color?Blue

Are you a cat or dog person?I'm actually allergic to both so I'm more a people person.